Who run the world? Tonight (and most nights), that would be Michelle Obama, who made a surprise appearance at the Grammys alongside a group of powerful women.

Host Alicia Keys and Obama were joined by Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith and Jennifer Lopez, who deviated from the traditional mean-spirited joking opener typical of awards shows and spoke about the power of music instead.

When it was her turn to speak, Obama could hardly get a word in before the theater erupted with thunderous applause. Once she was able to speak, she talked about how music has helped her share her story.

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The 61st annual Grammy Awards were handed out at Staples Center in Los Angeles Sunday on “music’s biggest night.” Kacey Musgraves accepts the Grammys' final and most prestigious award, Album of the Year, for "Golden Hour." ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Composer and record producer Ludwig Goransson accepts the Record of the Year Grammy for "This Is America" by Childish Gambino. Multi-talented Donald Glover, who performs as Childish Gambino and is one of producers and writers of "This Is America," didn't attend Sunday's ceremony. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

A nervous but elated Cardi B, joined onstage by Offset, talks about the challenge of getting "Invasion of Privacy" finished while pregnant during her acceptance speech for Best Rap Album. ROBERT HANASHIRO/USA TODAY

Actress Anna Kendrick gets the plum Grammy assignment of introducing a tribute to Dolly Parton, who was honored during the lead-up to Sunday's ceremony as MusiCares Person of the Year. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

If you're honoring Dolly Parton, it helps to have the original, as Parton, center, joins Katy Perry, left, and Kacey Musgraves for a joint rendition of the her classic, "Here You Come Again." ROBERT HANASHIRO/USA TODAY

Lady Gaga accepts the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Shallow," an award she shares with "A Star Is Born" co-star Bradley Cooper. Cooper was at the BAFTA Awards ceremony in England Sunday. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Alicia Keys, who has won 15 Grammys, included music-related stories, famous friends and time at the piano -- make that two pianos -- as part of her hosting duties Sunday at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Host Alicia Keys, center, opened Sunday's primetime Grammys broadcast with an inspiring appearance by some famous friends, including Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett-Smith, former First Lady Michelle Obama and Jennifer Lopez. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

During an inspirational appearance, Lady Gaga tells the Grammy Awards audience that she was told she was "weird" and that her sound wouldn't work, but "music told me not to listen to them." ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Rashida Jones, left, accepts the award for Best Music Film for "Quincy" at the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, which preceded the CBS primetime broadcast. About 70 awards were handed out at the earlier event. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

"From the Motown records I wore out on the South Side, to the 'who run the world' songs that fueled me through this last decade, music has always helped me tell my story, and I know that's true for everybody here," she told the crowd.

"Whether we like country or rap or rock, music helps us share ourselves," she continued. "Our dignity and its sorrows, our hopes and joys, it allows us to hear one another, to invite each other in. Music shows us that all of it matters. Every story within every voice, every note within every song. Is that right, ladies?"

A big part of friendship is showing up for your girls—that’s why I was thrilled to be there for the one and only @aliciakeys at the #GRAMMYs. She is one of the most genuine and thoughtful people I know—there’s no one better to help us all celebrate the unifying power of music! pic.twitter.com/8cMhTmsClA

Obama tweeted about the experience afterward: "A big part of friendship is showing up for your girls—that’s why I was thrilled to be there for the one and only @aliciakeys at the #GRAMMYs. She is one of the most genuine and thoughtful people I know—there’s no one better to help us all celebrate the unifying power of music!"

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Fabulous fashions were on display on the red carpet at Sunday’s 61st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Click through to see the night’s best dressed and most questionable looks. The on-again, off-again Offset and Cardi B were among those showing off their styles. Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY

Fabulous fashions were on display on the red carpet at Sunday’s 61st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Click through to see the night’s best dressed and most questionable looks. Lady Gaga leads off the procession of carpet luminaries, which includes Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B and Miley Cyrus. Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY

That night, Michelle donned a gorgeous custom white gown (that would later go on display in the Smithsonian!) at the Inaugural Ball after Barack was sworn in as president. Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images